Two trade bodies have backed government plans to boost the Build to Rent scheme tackle affordability in the housing market.

The British Property Federation (BPF) and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) have welcomed proposals to boost Build to Rent and introduce affordable private rent.

Under the proposals, the government will change planning rules so councils proactively plan for more Build to Rent homes where there is need and introduce longer tenancies which are more family-friendly to provide better security for renters.

‘We welcome the government’s continued support for the Build to Rent sector,’ said BPF chief executive, Melanie Leech.

‘We fully support the introduction of affordable private rent, and the inclusion of Build to Rent and affordable private rent, within the NPPF and Planning Practice Guidance.

‘A multi-tenure approach where all housing sectors receive the right policy support is critical to fixing the UK’s broken housing market.’

While the head of UK external affairs at the RICS, Geoff White, said: ‘The government’s proposals to boost supply across all tenures - including measures to boost Build to Rent - is a welcome acknowledgement of the extent of the housing challenges and the scale of the response required.’

The Government’s Housing White Paper also set out plans to open up the choice of rental properties on the market.

This includes plans to help people in the private rented sector by banning letting agent fees when they sign a new tenancy agreement.

‘Whether renting or owning all families should have the security they need to be able to plan for the future,’ said housing minister, Alok Sharma.

‘That’s why as part of our plan to fix the broken housing market we’ve been taking action to create a bigger and better private rental market, supporting new Build to Rent developments so that tenants can have greater choice.